142 reconstruction progresses

(Trenton) -The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced an upcoming traffic shift on the I-78 express lanes in both directions at milepost 53.1 in Union and Hillside, Union County. The traffic shift is part of the I-78/Garden State Parkway Interchange 142 reconstruction project.

On Friday, December 5, NJDOT will temporarily close a single lane on I-78 in both the eastbound and westbound express lanes overnight as traffic is shifted to the right in order to establish a new work zone in the median of Route 78. The overnight closures will take place Friday night between 9:30 p.m. and 7 a.m., Saturday between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. and Sunday night between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. the following morning.

The new traffic pattern will be in place by Monday morning, December 8. The traffic shift will allow for the construction of the new flyover ramp from the Garden State Parkway southbound to I-78 eastbound.

The $149 million rehabilitation project will improve traffic flow at the interchange by building the two missing ramp moves from the Garden State Parkway to I-78. New ramps will be constructed from the Garden State Parkway northbound to I-78 westbound and the Garden State Parkway southbound to I-78 eastbound, which will reduce driver delays and congestion. In addition, NJDOT will reconstruct a one-mile stretch of pavement on I-78, widen the bridges on I-78, add new acceleration and deceleration lanes, and relocate noise-barriers. The reconstruction of the I-78 pavement will ensure a smoother and safer surface for the truck traffic that uses this corridor to access the nearby port facilities. NJDOT, the federal government and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority funded the project, which is scheduled for completion in January 2012.

Construction began in late May. NJDOT designed the interchange reconstruction in stages in order to minimize traffic impacts. Variable Message Signs on the Garden State Parkway and I-78 will inform motorists of the traffic pattern changes. NJDOT encourages motorists to consider alternative transportation options such as carpools, park and rides and public transportation.